New levy likely for Urbana school district

School board will discuss options tonight.

URBANA — Urbana City Schools board members will be asked tonight to discuss a new levy needed to help fill a $1.2 million deficit by 2014.

The levy is necessary because of declining state revenue for the district, as well as the loss of stimulus funds that have been used to retain jobs, said Mandy Hildebrand, treasurer for the district.

The district used about $470,000 in stimulus money to retain jobs in 2012, but that money will not be available next year.

With approval from board members, the Champaign County auditor will be asked to certify the amount of revenue generated by five-year levies of 4.5 mills, 5 mill and 5.5 mills, said Charles Thiel, district superintendent.

Once more information is available from the auditor, board members will decide which levy amount to seek.

The owner of a $100,000 home would pay about $138 a year for the 4.5-mill levy, $153 for the 5.0-mill levy and $168 for the 5.5-mill levy.

The district is also looking for other ways to reduce the deficit, mostly slashing jobs by attrition where possible, Thiel said.

“We’re trying to do a lot of things to reduce that gap,” Thiel said of the projected deficit.

District officials and board members have been researching the issue for several months, Hildebrand said.

“It’s not a spur of the moment decision,” Hildebrand said. “The board’s been looking at this for quite some time now.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.

About the Author